Ledger tray



Oct. 26,1926. 1,604,631

' G. E. BRUNER LEDGER TRAY Filed August 11, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. E. BRUNER LEDGER TRAY Filed August 11, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 JV #4 6 w mu Oct. 26 1926.

G. E. BRUNER LEDGER TRAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed August 11. 1925 Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

UNITED stares enoaen E. seems, or' os ANGELES, cALIFon'NiA.

LEnGEa TRAY.

Application filed August 11, 1925. Serial No. 49,626.

My invention is a ledger tray forming a cabinet for holding loose leaf ledger leaves and to be utilized for machine book-keeping forminga tray for posting on the angle or W-shaped bottom type. I

My ledger tray for machine bookkeeping is made up of two cabinet members these being a ledger holder and a detachable cover which when secured to the holder forms a substantially rectangular cabinet with a diagonal separating joint for the ledger holder and detachable cover] When the cover is removed it may be utilized as a stand for supporting the ledger holder ele vated above a table and tilted backwardly at a suitable angle. The ledger holder is provided with a follow block formed of a fiat sheet of metal with a wedging leg or prop for securely clamping the ledger leaves in the holder. This follow block is detachable from the ledger holder as well as tiltable therewith so that it may be utilized in the ledgerholder to turn the leavesover from the front to the back forming a support for the leaves so turned. The follow block when detached may be secured to the top of the cover, when such cover is being utilized as a stand, to form a receiving plate for the ledger leaves after posting. In this latter form the device formsthe angle bot tom or so called W-shaped bottom posting device.

Considered in greater detail, my invention of the ledger tray for machine book keeping is. formed of sheet metal with a ledger holder having a flat back, a base for supporting the leaves inclined at an' angle slightly less than a right angle thereto and having triangular sides. The follow block is formed of a sheet of metal with a pair of lugs with extending pins on the bottom edge engaging in slots in, the bottom surface of the ledger holder and has a pivoted leg or prop which is utilized to press the follow block tight against the leaves and hold them against the back of the ledger holder.

The cabinet cover is substantially the same shape as the ledger holder, having a 0 flat back, a base inclined thereto and triangular sides, the base forming when the cover is used as a stand, a supporting element for the detachable follow block which is secured thereto in a pair of slots engaging the lugs and pins on the bottom edge of the block. The base also forms, when securedover the ledger holder, the top of the cabinet and the two surfaces formed in the back have a slot or aperture therethrough so that the slot in the back and the slot in the upper edge of the cover form a handle by which the cabinet may be carried. It is desirable to have a hook for securing the ledger holder and the cover in their different positions. 7

My invention will be more readily understood from the following description and drawings, in which; I,

Figure l is a perspective view -of-tny ledger tray when closed and forming a ledger cabinet, showing particularly the back of the ledger holder, one side and the top.

F ig.; 2 is a perspective somewhat similar to Fig. 1, showing the top side of the cover when used as a stand, the view being the reverse of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover when placed on a table, resting .on the rim 1 joint and in the position to form a stand for the ledger holder. I

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ledger holder when standing on a table with the follow block removed. V

Fig. 5 is a perspective of the follow block with the wedging leg or prop shown elevated as, in the position for posting, for attachment to the cover. 7

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the sev-1 eral elements of my ledger tray connected together to form an angle bottom or socalled W-shaped posting tray.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ledger holder with the leaves clamped in" place by the follow block. a

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross section of the ledger tray when in the position of Fig. 6 showing clearly the angle bottom or W- shaped construction. H

Fig. 9 is a vertica'l cross-section of the ledger holder as if taken through the center of Fig. 7. 1

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrows 1010.

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross section of my ledger cabinet as if taken through the cen- 1 1, a cabinet cover 2 a follow block 3 having a wedging leg or prop 4E secured thereto by being pivoted to a pairof lugs 6 on the back of a metal plate forming the follower block.

The plate has a pair of lugs 7 with oppositely extending pins 8 secured thereto. It is desirable to form the prop or leg 4 with." side walls 9 so as to give sufficient strength and stiffness to form a rigid prop.

The ledger holder 1 is preferably formed of sheet metal having a back wall 10, opposite triangular-shaped sides 11 having a rim 12 on their edge formed by a fold on the edge of the metal preferably turned outwardly as shown. The upper edge of the back'is also turned over forming a bead 13 at its upper edge. An elongated hand hold aperture 14 is cut through the upper portion of the back to function as hereafter described. The base 15 joins the back at an angle slightly less than a right angle and slightly above the bottom rim 16 of the ledger holder as clearly shown in Figs. Qand 12. The base has a pair of elongated slots 17 having a Tshaped head 18 adapted to allow the insertion of the lug 7 with the pins, the pins engaging underneath the sur face ofthe base 15. A skirt 19 depends from the base joining the lower rim 16.

The cover for the cabinet 2 which also forms the stand for the ledger holder is shown particularly in Figs. 3, 6and 8. The cover 2 has a flat back 20 formed of sheet metal which is bent over at the sides to form triangular sides 21 having a joining rim 22 made by a fol-d on the edge of the metal. The top 23 joins the back 20 at an angle slightly less than a right angle and slightly spaced from the upper rim 24 of the cover. A flange 25 is formed on the base extending in a direction opposite to that on the back 20 and has a curl 26 which engages over thebead '13 of the ledger holder as shown in Fig. 11. This flange has a handle aperture 2 to register with the hand hold 14L or the ledger holder forming a means for carrying the cabinet. It is desirable to have a pair of hooks 27 pivoted to the opposite lower front corners of the ledger holder to swingthrough apertures 28 in the rims 1 2 and 22 of the ledger holder and the cover respectively in order to hook them together as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. i The follow block 3 holds and clamps the loose sheets as particularly shown in'Figs. 9 and 11. On account of the pins 8 engaging beloW th-e base 15, through the, slot 17 the plate forming the follow block is secured to'the base and. the leg l pressing'against the inclined base wedges the plate tight against the leaves and smoothstthem' against the back wall 10 of the ledger holder. The follow block maybe slid forwardly by first drawing on the leg at which has a cut-out segment 29 forming a finger hold. The follow block plate may then be drawn forwardly and tilted as shown in Fig. 12 forming a support for the front leaves in leafing over the ledger.

The hook 27 may be swung downwardly to raise the ledger holder as shown in Figs. 1 and 12., thereby tilting the holder slightly backwardly. When the ledger holder and cover are disconnected, and the cover placed on a table in the position shown in Fig. 3 to form a stand, the ledger holder is placed thereon in the position as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 so that the hook engages a pin 30 on each side of the cover adjacent the forward upper corner when utilized as a stand.

The top 23 of the cover is provided with a pair of rectangular apertures 31 of sufficient Width and length for the insertion of the lugs 7 and the extending pins 8 of the follow block and having a slight offset 32 to allow the pins to pass upwardly slightly within the top and be pressed therein by the weight of the follow block as indicated in Figsfi and 8. The leg l extends forwardly and is preferably so swivelled to the lug 6 as to form a front prop to prevent the tray when in position for posting from toppling over forwardly when the sheets are piled in.

the back of the follow block.

The manner of utilizing ledger tray it is believed will be obvious to those familiar with the art from the above description, however, one procedure is as follows:

For storage in a vault, carrying in or to the oflice or when not in use in the office the tray may be kept closed in the form of a cabinet as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When it is desired to inspect the ledger the cover is removed and the ledger holder may be tilted slightly backward, resting on the shoe 33 on the periphery of the hook 27 as shown in Fig. 12. The follow block may be loosened and tilted forward, the particular shape of the curve 34 of the lug 7 allows the follow block to tilt forwardly and holds it in such position with the pins 8 engaging the lower surface of the base 15 and the lower edge 35 of the follower block plate, pressing against the top of the base. It will be noted that the ledger holder is tilted back to such an angle that the sheets do not fall over forwardly and must be leafed over also the front leaves extend slightly above the back leaves so that they may be easily manipulated without thumbing the corners of the leaves. This is due to the base 15 adjoining the back 10 at an angle less than a right angle. Whenleafed over the sheets may be inspected from top to bottom without any clamping device obstructing the view or preventing turning of the leaves.

For posting the top is placed on a table in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the ledger holder is placed thereon as shown in tries or posting will be squared against one side of the cover element and those posted will be squared against the other side and after the whole ledger has been posted these may be placed in the back in the ledger holder and clamped in this position until a comparison of balances or proof is made. If desired the sheets may be taken a few at a time. say enough to make a block of about an inch in thickness and placed behind the stack of unposted sheets in the ledger holder in order that while the ledger is being posted it may still be available for ready reference in the proper holder. It is to be noted as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 that the follow block plate meets the top 23 at an angle less than degrees so that the topmost sheets will extend slightly beyond those above and allow ready thumbing over of the sheets without grasping the corners.

Other uses or manner of using my combined ledger tray and cabinet will be obvious to those familiar with the art and the construction may be changed to suit special conditions and circumstances. Changes of detail and such like may be incorporated in my invention without departing from the spirit thereof. v

One of the-characteristic features of my invention is that the cabinet .cover portion of the tray is inverted and forms a stand on which the ledger holder is supported. This gives the ledger holder the proper tilt as shown in Figs. 6 or 8. The ledger holder is then secured from slipping on the stand by means of the hooks 27. 7

It is manifest that as the principal func tion of these hooks is to prevent this slip- "page that they may be made of other con struction than that illustrated or the parts made to conform one to the other in such a manner as to prevent slippage and secure the ledger holder in a firm position on the back of the cover element. Moreover, the receiving plate for the ledger leaves formed by the follow block 3 may be of some other element than a follow block if-such is not re quired by the ledger.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A. ledger tray comprising in combination a ledger holder having a follow block therein and a cover element, said cover ele ment being adapted to be placed underneath the ledger holder to form a stand for the ledger holder in supporting it in an inclined position.

2. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 1, in which the cover elen ient has means to attach the follow block thereto, forming an angular or Wsha] 3ed ledger tray.

A ledger tray comprising in combination a ledger holder having a flat back and base and triangular-shaped sides, a follow block slidable on the base, a cover having a back and flat top and triangular sides and means to connect the cover and ledger holder together. i

l. Aledger tray as claimed in claim 3, in which registering hand-hold openings are formed in the back of the ledgerholder and r in the upper part of the cover, adapted to form means to lift the ledger tray whenconnected asacabinet. I l

In a ledger tray, a ledger holder having triangular shaped sides, a back wall connecting the two back edges of the sides, a base extending forwardly .fromjth'e back spaced above the lower edges of the sides, slots the. base extending from the front towards the back and a follow block com prising a plate having tongues and pins slidable' in sa-idslots, with means to clamp the plate to press sheets againstthe back wall. a

6. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 5, in which the means to clamp the plate comprises a leg pivotally mounted on the back of the plate the base.

7. In a ledger tray, a cover having triansides :forming the hypothenuse of a triangle.

and adapted to form a jointing edge with a ledger holder of substantially similar shape.

8. In a ledger tray as claimed in claim 7 the flange of the cover element having an opening therethrough adapted to form a hand hold to lift the cabinet formed by the cover element and a ledger holder of somewhat similar design.

In aledger tray as claimed in. claim 7, in which the top of the cover adjacent the flange is provided with a pair of apertures adapted to receive lugs of a follow block plate. y

10. A ledger tray comprising in combina tion a ledger holder having a substantially. vertical back wall, a base extending forwardly therefrom at an angle slightly less than a right angle, triangular shaped side Walls, with the bottom of the Walls extendand adapted to wedge, against gnlar sides, aback wall connecting the back ing below the base, the edges of the side walls forming a jointing surface, a cover having a back wall, parallel to the back wal of the ledger holder, a top extending to- 'wards the ledger holder at an angle with the back of slightly less than a right angle,

triangular sides connected to the back wall and the top, the edges of said sides forming a jointing surface adapted to co-act with the jointing surface of the ledger holder and means to hold the ledger holder and cover in adjusted position, forn'iing substantially a rectangular cabinet with diagonal. jointing surfaces in the sides.

11. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 10, in which a skirt extends upwardly from the top of the cover having a curl at the upper edge thereof, adapted to engage the upper edge of the back wall of the ledger holder, and means to fasten the jointing surface of the ledger holder and cover together.

12. A ledger tray comprising in combination a ledger holder having a fiat back wall, a base and substantially triangular shaped sidewalls, the back edges of theside walls being secured to the back wall, a cover hav ing a back wall, top and triangular side walls, the hypothenuse of the side walls connectingthe lower edge of the back wall and being connected to the top adjacent its forward edge, said cover being positioned on a table or the like with the hypothenuse of the side walls adjacent the table surface and the back wall forming a stand for the bottom edges of the ledger holder, and means to secure the ledger holder and cover together.

13. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 12, having in addition a follow block in the form of a plate removably attached to the forward edge of the top of the cover in a position adjacent the surface of the table and with its top edge extending forwardly beyond the top, the whole structure being adapted to form an angular or W-shaped ledger tray. 7

' 14. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 12, having in addition a follow block in the form of a plate removably attached to the forward edge of the top of the cover in a position adjacent the surface of the table and with its top edge extending forwardly beyond the top, the whole structure being adapted to form an angular or W-shaped ledger tray, and a leg pivotally connected to the follow block plate extending forwardly and forming a prop for said plate.

15. A ledger tray comprising in combination a substantially triangular shaped ledger holder, a substantially triangular shaped cover element, the cover element resting on a table with the hypothenuse adjacent the surface of the table and supporting the base of the ledger, a holder on the back of the cover element and means to secure the ledger holder and cover element together.

16. A ledger tray as claimed in claim 15, having in addition a follow block detachable from the ledger holder and means to attach the follow block to the cover element extending forwardly therefrom, adapted to form an angular or W-shaped ledger tray.

17. A ledger tray comprising in combination a substantially triangular shaped ledger holder, a triangular shaped cover, adapted to be placed on the ledger holder forming a rectangular cabinet with a diagonal joint on the sides, hooks pivotally mounted on the ledger holder, positioned to engage the cover to hold itin adjusted position in the form of a cabinet, said hooks also being positioned to form a front support for the ledger holder on a table or the like to tilt same backwardly and attaching means on the cover to engage the hooks, whereby the cover when removed from the ledger holder may form a stand to support the ledger holder in a position for posting.

18. A ledger tray as claimed in claim. 17, in which the adjoining surfaces of the ledger holder and cover are formed with outstanding flanges, said hook being adapted to engage the flanges and thereby secure the ledger holder and cover together as a cabinet and in which the cover has a pin secured thereto adapted to engage the hook to hold the ledger holder on the cover, the cover forming a stand. V

19. A ledger tray comprising in combination a ledger holder and a cover element, said cover element being adapted to be placed underneath the ledger holder to form a stand for the said holder, supporting it in an inclined position.

20. A ledger tray comprising in combination a ledger holder, a cover element, said cover element being adapted to be placed underneath the ledger holder to form a stand for the said holder, supporting it in an inclined position, a plate, and means to attach the plate to the ledger holder and to the cover element whereby the said plate may function as a follow block or, as a receiving plate for ledger leaves after posting.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEO. E. BRUNER. 

